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Today, 3 January, is the feast of ... * Antherus, pope and martyr (236) - reigned for only forty-three days; martyred for obtaining copies of the official proceedings against the martyrs with the intention of keeping them in his archives (patron of rare book librarians?) * Peter Balsam, martyr (311) - native of Palestine, where he was martyred; Eusebius says he was burnt to death at Caesarea, but according to his *acta* he was crucified at Aulana by the governor Severus * Genevieve or Genovefa, virgin (c. 500) - patron of Paris; like another great French saint, Jeanne d'Arc, she protected her native place against attacking foreigners (although she did so by prayer, entreaties and intercession) * Bertilia of Mareuil, widow (eighth century) - a noble, she married a noble, after whose death she lived as a recluse in a cell adjoining her town's church (in the diocese of Arras) *********************** George Ferzoco University of Leicester